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Leslie McKeever
Leslie McKeever's father was a fireman in Detroit from 1946 to 1976. McKeever remembers him working during the week of July 23, 1967 and the family's eventual move to the suburbs despite the requirement for firemen to live within the city limits.
Rosemary Spatafora
Rosemary Spatafora was a teenager in 1967 and remembers fires nearby and hearing gun shots at the local Domestic Linen Supply. Later she read an article from the perspective of business owners that changed her perspective of the snipers.
Latitia O’Connell, February 7th, 2017
In this interview, Latitia O’Connell discusses what she experienced during July 1967.
Sharon Defever, January 31st, 2017
In this interview, Ms. Defever discusses her thoughts about the events of July 1967.
Monica Stuhlwier, December 6th, 2016
In this interview, Stuhlwier discusses her experiences of the unrest as a Sister and teacher, as well as its lasting impact. She recollects looting, smoke, looming helicopters, and tanks and soldiers at Central High School where she was taking…
James Veselenak
James Veselenak was a lifeguard on Belle Isle in 1967. He remembers reporting to work unaware of the situation when he was stopped by a policeman who eventually let him through. He was later called back to help prepare the island to house prisoners.…
Mike Stacy, August 22nd, 2016
In this interview, Stacy discusses growing up in Dearborn, going to Michigan State after serving in the Marine Corps, and working as a campus cop. He reflects on his time at the Recorder’s Court and how the unrest of 1967 affected his work there. He…
Connie Boris, August 18th, 2016
In this interview, Boris discusses extending her trip at Camp Dearborn with a friend when the unrest first started. She also talks about going to class during the week of the disturbance. Boris came back to the city to clean up a hazardous waste…
Brian Fountain, June 18th, 2016
In this interview, Fountain describes the unrest from a 12-year-old’s perspective. For example, he recalls seeing two men carrying a new couch in the alley behind his grandparents’ house, and realizing the men had looted the furniture. He repeatedly…
Anita Gibbs
Anita Gibbs was a child in 1967 and remembers the atmosphere and confusion of the city while the police searched her house.
Michael Smith, August 5th, 2016
In this interview, Smith discusses his experiences during the week of July 23, 1967 including seeing the unrest as he was going to church and being confronted by the National Guard, both at his apartment and while out playing basketball with friends.…
Richard Viecelli, August 12th, 2016
Viecelli discusses the 1967 disturbance from a police officer’s perspective, which he considers not a riot, but a “baby war.” He was stationed at Kiefer Command Center, where he tracked incoming and outgoing calls for the police. Notably, Vicelli…
Ronald Navickas, August 23rd, 2016
Ronald Navickas was an employee of an armored truck company in 1967. He discusses his childhood in Highland Park and his memories of the week of July 23, 1967. He talks about why he moved and his impressions of the city when he returned and how he…
Angelo Sherman
A painting and explanation from Angelo Sherman who was a child in 1967.
William Giardin, August 9th, 2016
In this interview, Girardin tells what it was like growing up in an all-white neighborhood in Livonia and his life post-high school graduation. He describes how he was called for duty in the National Guard during the 1967 unrest and his various…
Robert Tell
Robert Tell was a senior executive at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit in July of 1967. He was called into work where he could see the fires from the roof of the hospital. He worked throughout the week.
Allan Ranusch
Allan Ranusch was 11 years old and lived in the lower east side of Detroit in 1967. He remembers when looters broke into the neighborhood convenience store, snipers, and the damage to his neighborhood.
Don Handy
Don Handy wrote a poem about his memories of the summer of 1967.
Ana
Ana was a 13 year old who lived with her grandparents near the training grounds where the Detroit Fire Department was stationed.